PrepTest 145, Section 4, Question 2
Albert: Swenson's popular book, which argues that sun(43 more words not shown)
The dialogue provides the most(11 more words not shown)
- Asun exposure harms(2 more words not shown)
- BSwenson's book is(5 more words not shown)
- CSwenson's book should(3 more words not shown)
- DSwenson's book has(6 more words not shown)
- Esomething that does(7 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
A badly argued book could still prompt useful work. Imagine researchers testing a claim precisely because they doubt it. The new research might be worthwhile even if the book that provoked it was not good scholarship.
That's Albert's distinction. He criticizes the book's scholarship but gives it credit for stimulating new research. Yvonne rejects that defense by comparing it with calling a virus valuable because it gives epidemiologists something to study. The comparison targets the move from causing research to deserving a positive judgment.
What we’re looking for
For the disagreement question, keep the focus on the book's value. Albert says it should be considered valuable despite its shortcomings. Yvonne pushes back on that judgment. We don't have to settle the scientific question about sun exposure to identify their disagreement.
Working the answers
- A
Neither speaker argues here for a different answer to the scientific question about harm to skin cells. The disagreement concerns how to evaluate the book. We cannot substitute the book's controversial subject for the point the speakers contest.
- B
Albert calls the book poor scholarship. Yvonne doesn't defend its scholarship or say Albert's criticism is mistaken. Her objection concerns the value he attributes to it despite that criticism. We have no opposition on B.
- CCorrect
Albert expressly says the book is valuable because it stimulated research. Yvonne's virus comparison rejects that way of treating the book as valuable. This captures the judgment they take opposing positions on.
- D
Yvonne doesn't deny that the book stimulated research. Her comparison can grant that consequence while rejecting the positive evaluation Albert draws from it. Disagreeing about what a fact makes valuable isn't the same as denying the fact.
- E
Neither speaker addresses the value of something that does not stimulate research. They are considering an item Albert says did stimulate research and whether that is a basis for valuing it. E changes the situation.
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